The Listening Room

See it if you like to see each & every play from the burgeoning sub-genre of dystopian post-apocalyptic futures.

Don't see it if you like plays to be clear & dramatic.

Also I am glad to report that “The Listening Room” is not nearly as polite as its title would suggest. In fact, the “Room” in question is shabby, subterranean & fist fights break out often – though it’s not always clear why. Maybe because, other than the brawling, nothing much is going on except the “Listening” of the title. That listening, the play’s premise, is the neatest thing about it: A group of young people, of a generation after the generation that survived some apocalypse, tries to pick up sound waves with a roomful of audio equipment, echoing remnants from earlier lost civilizations. Almost nothing in the play develops this interesting idea. The sound design, a full sonic atmosphere, is very tasty. Unfortunately, it has to share air space with an increasingly murky script. The ending is quite wonderful. But little that comes before it has earned it. (I’ve enjoyed earlier productions from this company & hope to again.)... Read more Read less

See it if you want play with interesting insight into "rebels" in a dystopian world

Don't see it if you want your your "heros" to be worthy of admiration.

Also Michaela Jeffrey's The Listening Room, intentionally or unintentionally, borrows many of its ideas from Miller's Crucible. Your interests should stem from how a play written about a 17th century event to expose a mid twentieth century event inspires a play written about a dystopian future finds the characters acting in almost exactly the same way. People scrambling for "acceptance" by those in "power" and adopting whatever they see as the "best", most proficient, way to gain that acceptance. These methods involve acquiescence, betrayal, gathering "undeniable" evidence, and outright "rebellion" while acknowledging the position of those in power.

The set is very good, as is the sound design and choreography, some of the lighting choices are confusing and misleading. The actors are terrific physical actors, but are young and still need to learn to more subtle delivery. The writing is solid, but far from brilliant.... Read more Read less

See it if You want to see an excellent sci-fi play that was well directed, acted and creative set. It will be loved by sci-fi geeks.

Don't see it if You don't like sci-fi, this will not be your kind of play.

See it if You're a consumer of Young Adult (YA) literature. If you liked The Hunger Games, this play is definitely for you.

Don't see it if Young Adult Dystopian Sci-fi is not to your liking.

Also I lack the gene that makes me appreciate 'dystopian Sci-fi', which I consider a style of writing born as a result of the ‘age of apathy for the common good and future'.

Literature written within this context is filled with anxiety for the worst-case scenario, which, when amplified globally through more copycat literature, films and theatre, has the effect of inspiring these same, very much feared, dark forces into manifesting. Isn't that what is taking place now on a global scale?

For the past two decades, Generation Z has been fed a steady diet of dystopian worst case YA literature and films, the most famous example of which are The Hunger Games, with authoritarian regimes looming large over the fate of the masses.

This play is the natural off-spring of a playwright who grew up on a steady diet of dystopian literature that is in the process of becoming reality for us all.

Positively, I loved the set design and strong physical performances by a quintet of very talented actors.... Read more Read less

See it if You’re interested in watching an ambitious group of young actors take stage in a dystopian thriller.

Don't see it if You won’t be able to get past a rather disorganized and sometimes confusing script.

Also Sound design was very good. The fight choreography was fun to watch albeit it did not really serve the plot at all. Felt more like a glimpse into a WWE brawl rather than a genuine fight. Nonetheless fun to watch. The story is sometimes hard to follow as a tremendous amount of backstory is crammed into 80 minutes. But to a science fiction enthusiast, this is often times expected.... Read more Read less

See it if You An A Ha moment at the end

Don't see it if You want a clear storyline

See it if You enjoy themes of a dystopian society and how young adults deal with societal pressures of a new world.

Don't see it if You aren’t able to extend your imagination, are bothered by minor plot holes or unanswered questions, or don’t do well with loud sounds.

Also The sound design was immaculate, it was the glue of this show as suggested by the title. The set and costume designs were lovely and fit the theme. The stage combat was fun to watch.... Read more Read less

See it if Randall Rodriguez creates an amazing scene. It is very thought provoking. The cast works excellent with each other on stage.

Don't see it if You are not into scifi or do not want something to challenge your point of view.